'12 MTB Season Opener

So here we are again with the build up to 2012/'13 'cross season and that means spring MTB'ing building some 'off-season' base and working on acheiving the legendary 'Crusty Skillz' (bike handling).

Yesterday was my first race of '12 and luckily it was on my 'home turf' of Sac River Trails in Springfield, MO for the OMBA CARAMBA.  This is where I do a majority of my trail riding and know the system pretty well.  This place doesn't really put a single speed at a disadvantage as the course it tight, rough and twisty with only a couple 'pedaling' sections.

I jumped in the marathon class on my SS Trek Rig in a solid field of competitors for the 3+hr event.  I regulated my HR and pace early and built on it every lap starting in 4th place on the 1st lap of the 5.56 mile loop and by the finish (6 laps) I nabbed 2nd place (3hrs 14min).  I felt solid as the race progressed and am happy with my fitness.  BTW - I am 10lbs lighter than this time last year and I am liking it...

Up next is a handful more mtb events before hitting the crit scene mid summer.  'Cross can't get here fast enough!

Colt Says MWI Best CX Team...

... based on the FUN Factor (when you are a non-pro squadra what else is there)!

Watch more video of Who's #1? Cyclocross Rankings 2011/2012 on cyclingdirt.org

Mike, Jessica, and everyone else who has fired up the propane heaters, popped up a pole, or dipped up a bowl of chili for a visitor at 'The Compound' all I can say is THANKS, you guys ROCK!

One Day After - CX Nationals

The results were not as good as I had hoped: 37th after a starting spot of 36.

And the end came way too soon as the overzealous USA Cycling official pulled a large group of us that were more than half the course in front of the leaders.

But it was still a pretty successful race.

I started in the fifth row and moved up a lot in the first three minutes. The course was in horrible shape: Deep frozen ruts were throwing guys' bikes every which way. There was a lot of broken tape on that first lap.

Somehow, though, I rode through a lot of the carnage. I was riding stupid maybe, not really thinking or caring about the likelihood of crashing. I just pedaled the bike.

I was probably in the top 20 and moving up through the first pit. I even passed people going up the hill.

A rider who had crashed early came up behind me early on the hill and caught a rut. He apologized as he ran into me.

I, though, caught a rut too, and crashed into the tape. Unfortunately, I was in a big gear and then had to run all the way up the hill.

Game over.

Most of the field passed me. I got back on at the top and was a little tentative then.

By the start of the second lap, I was feeling more confident, and could ride the ruts decently. And by the third lap, I was riding stupid again, turning off the thinking, even when Dave. E crashed hard in front of me.

I was feeling great on the third lap, passing a lot of people and gliding through the now melting ruts.

That's when I got pulled. And that's why I was so bitter. Just when I was feeling good...

I had a few words for the official, but wisely moved away before I said anything really stupid. I was fired up, though.

I ended the season on a positive note, knowing full well what I need to work on for the next year. I'll do another post for cxmagazine.com on my season and what I've learned from this process.

It's been a good year. I'll leave it at that and move past the bitterness and not being able to race another lap!

It's definitely been a good year.

Now it's time to go watch the elite women and men rip up the course.